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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How is Hades first described in The Hymn to Demeter?

2. What name does the poet give to the moon?

3. Based on the hymn, how many goddesses are there that Aphrodite cannot influence?

4. What does Anchises pray for after meeting Aphrodite?

5. How many hymns are there to Athena?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Aphrodite known for, and which three goddesses cannot be influenced by her?

2. What type of goddess is Demeter and how many hymns are dedicated to her?

3. Which lesson does The Hymn to Hephaistos illustrate?

4. How does Anchises respond to Aphrodite's true identity and what is the result of their affair?

5. What are the main characteristics of Athena?

6. What metaphor is used to describe the moon in The Hymn to the Moon?

7. Who is Aphrodite attracted to and what is her plan?

8. How are Persephone and Demeter reunited and what are the conditions of Persephone's return?

9. What is the reason given in The Hymn to Aphrodite for Aphrodite's attraction to mortal men?

10. How is the birth of Aphrodite explained in The Second Hymn to Aphrodite?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the main differences between major gods and minor gods by explaining the characteristics of each. Also, include descriptions of The Hymn to Asclepios and The Hymn to Pan as examples of the minor gods and what they represent to the poet and Greek myths.

Essay Topic 2

The Hymn to Hermes is the longest hymn of the collection.

1) Describe Hermes's birth, childhood, and characteristics.

2) Explain how Hermes invents the lyre.

3) Describe the theft of Apollo's cattle and the response of Maia, Apollo, and Zeus to Hermes's crime.

Essay Topic 3

This essay will be about The Hymn to Artemis, The Second Hymn to Artemis, and the role of women warriors in Greek mythology.

1) Describe Artemis as she is presented in the hymn.

2) Explain why Artemis is known for two qualities that are not usually associated with each other.

3) Analyze the general purposes of the shorter hymns and what the intentions might have been in writing The Hymn to Artemis.

4) Using The Hymn to Athena, compare Artemis with Athena and their influence on war and in general.

(see the answer keys)

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